Microsoft creates ‘Emma’ to aid with Parkinson’s

Microsoft has unveiled a prototype watch named ‘Project Emma’ for people suffering with Parkinson’s disease.

The tech firm’s wearable is designed to reduce uncontrollable shaking that’s brought on by the progressive deterioration of nerve cells in the brain.

It does this through small vibration motors inside the watch that stops the brain from creating as many tremors.

Haiyan Zheg, innovation director at Microsoft Research Cambridge, explained: “I’ve been chatting with Emma [a friend and graphic designer with Parkinson’s], researchers and experts to put together a deeper piece of research on how AI and wearables can better support people with Parkinson’s to manage their symptoms and medication intake.”

“This would be an extension of the original Emma Watch project but could be quite an impactful piece of work, however, it’s still only in the proposal stage.”

The watch was introduced at Microsoft Build conference in Seattle and the company will start initial trials of the device in London.